(This document was originally published in the 75th Anniversary Book of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in 1975; pages 20-41.)
History of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
In commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of St. John the Baptist Parish, one can well admire the many material accomplishments of the parish community: The church, the school, the children’s home and the men’s club. But the history of St. John the Baptist Parish is the history of the Croatian people, their religious faith and their struggle to keep that faith alive while adopting to the culture and customs of their adopted county.
The first of these settlers tasted the bitter experiences of strangers in a strange land. Unfamiliar with the language and customs, they had no friends, no acquaintances, and no countrymen. They were surrounded by a foreign atmosphere in a foreign land. These good people, brimming with health, strength and an unbounded willingness to work, could not answer even the ordinary questions requiring simple or no answers. They were like children at the material bosom, just being taught to speak. The thoughts of many in those early days turned to their far-away fatherland, and the recollection was of accompanied by deep sighs and tears. “Podledaj na mene I smiluj mi se, Gospode, jer sam stranac I siromasan. Psalms 24”
They would enter a store and select the items they wished to purchase by pointing a finger at them. The local citizens would observe their actions and be surprised to learn that there were adults here in their midst who were unable to speak the English language. Fear took hold of these settlers whenever they ventured out into the streets, for the rabble composed of grownups and youngsters alike would pelt them with brickbats and drive them back into their modest shelters.
As soon as the earliest immigrants, the pioneers had settled and learned to speak and write English, other immigrants followed. Newcomers were always gladly welcomed with a feast prepared by relatives, friends and neighbors. No sooner had a new arrival rested from his journey than the “old timers” would begin the task of finding him employment in a plant or factory. He would be hired and begin saving his wages to send home to his parents or wife. His wages were earned by the sweat of his brown. Sweet were the crumbs acquired in their manner.
As early as 1888, a number of Croatians settled in their mid-central regional of the U.S., in the city of Kansas City, Kansas, formerly called Wyandot, which was the name of a tribe of Indians who were moved by the Federal Government to this area from the East.
The earliest immigrants were Ivan Jarnevic, Josip Grisnik, Jure Novak, Janko Car, the brother Imbro and Miko Skorija, Ivan Crnic, Marko Lorkovic, Ivan Goldasic, Ivan Macan, the brother Jure and Franjo Ribic and the first female immigrant Ana Sambol, later Kostelac. These and others who came to the New World were witnesses to the lives and experiences of the original Croatian Immigrants to Kansas City, Kansas.
To the west of the old Armour Packing Company and along the length of James Street, there was an extensive parcel of land which was owned by the railroad. On this land stood frame houses and cottages in which resided the immigrants of various nationalities: Irish, German, Polish, Slovak, Croatian and Slovenian. Each ethnic group, after having settled there, would in turn leave this area, to take up residence in better parts of the city.
A house could be purchased for a very reasonable amount of about $500. The rent on the real estate was $1 or more per month.
In their own home, the new arrivals from Europe were their master. The dwellings were usually composed of two, three or four rooms on the ground level. But the villages which they left in Europe were cities in comparison to this plot of land which was referred to as the Patch. The roads in the oud country were fine avenues compared to the dirt road of the Patch. The familiar fragrances of the harvest and the flowers blooming in their fields of their homeland were replaced by the stench of the slaughter houses and stockyards, by the smoke emitted from the railroad locomotives and the fumes from the smokestacks of industry. The summer heat, which sometimes reached 106 degrees, added to the disenchantment in the new land. Why then did the various ethnic groups take up residence there up arriving in the city? The answer is economic in nature.
As already indicated, rent and the price of houses were within financial reach of the immigrants. Furthermore, it was easy to obtain coal and wood which were discarded by the industries of the area. By gathering wheat and grain from the railroad boxcars, feed was available for the chickens which the families raised. The cost of electricity was avoided by the use of coal oil lamps. Food and clothing were readily available in the stores operated by some of their countrymen. Keeping body and soul together was inexpensive and there was even an opportunity to save a little. Each of them thought of the future and of his dependents in the old country to whom he would send a little money now and then to aid them in the battle for survival in Croatia and eventually provide for their passage to America.
Realizing the need for unifications, the Croatians and Slovenians organized the Society of St. Joseph in 1892. The Slovenians were in favor of a reference to Austrian in the name. It later came to be called the Austrian-Slovenian-Croatian Society, which was not acceptable to the Croatians, but which, for the sake of harmony, they tolerated.
After many disagreements, the Croatians sought and received a separate charter through the efforts of Ivan Jarnevic. The new fraternal organization now became more vigorous with greater membership than the original Society of St. Joseph.
Since a majority of the Croatians were Roman Catholic, they attended various churches. Some went to St. Brigid’s which was in the Patch; some attended Mass at St. Mary’s and those who understood German attended services at St. Anthony’s. Most of them, however, attended St. Joseph’s which was Polish, for the Croatians had more in common with them because they were also Slavs.
As the number of Croatian Families increased, the people began to talk about building a parish church of their own.
On May 26, 1900, the Croatians met in Union Hall on West Ninth Street in Kansas City, MO. A committee was formed to conduct the meeting, and the members were Jure Novogradac, Petar Goldasic and Ivan Jarnevic. Mr. Goldasic spoke at length on the need for a church.
After all the speakers had presented their ideas, Janko Zugecic presented two motions: one “that a church be built,” and the other “that a church committee be selected.” Both motions passed.
“Stari” (old man) Petar Goldasic chaired the committee which was composed of Ivan Crnic, Imbro Skorija, Ivan Jarnevic, Ignac Radecic, Jure Novogradac, Ivan Draskovic, Ivan Stanuga, Peter Crnic and three Slovenians, Pavao Mavrin, Janez Kure and Josip Dragos.
At the meeting the next day, the following were elected officers: Jure Novogradac, president; Ivan Draskovic, vice president; Ivan Jarnevic, secretary; Petar Goldasic, financial secretary; Ivan Crnic, treasurer; Ivan Stanuga, chairman of the appropriations committee; and Ignac Radcic, chairman of the board of directors. They resolved to seek the aid of all lodges of the Croatian National Union, which was a forerunner of the present-day Croatian Fraternal Union.
It was further resolved that the board of directors be given the authority to handle all money received and to deposit the funds where there would be “no risk.”
Ivan Jarnevic moved for a committee of three to meet with Reverend Francis Kulisek, who was then pastor of the St. Joseph’s Polish Parish, to advise him of their intention to meet with the Bishop and to seek his approval of their actions. Chosen for this committee were Jure Novogradac, Ivan Jarnevic and Ivan Crnic.
The meeting with Bishop Louis M. Fink, O.S.B. was successful, and he approved of their intention to build a church. In fact, he himself donated $100 to the building fund.
On June 25, 1900, Ivan Crnic announced the prices of available real estate. Land at Fourth Street and Barnett Avenue was quoted at $1800; at Fifth and Barnett Avenue at $2100; and the corner lots at Fifth Street and Ferry (later Fowler) at $3000. It was decided that the property at Fourth Street and Barnett Avenue would be purchased.
A day later, at another meeting of the committee, Josip Dragos announced that the property comprising seven lots, each 25 by 150 feet in dimension, had been purchased for $1650. A deposit of $25 taken from the treasury and $75 loaned by Imbro Skorija was paid. As provided by applicable ecclesiastical regulations, the land was conveyed and title vested in the head of the diocese (then known as the Diocese of Leavenworth), Bishop Louis M. Fink, O.S.B
Janko Vale, Ivan Crnic and Imbro Skorija employed a surveyor to make the boundaries of the church property and an architect to draw up plans for the church building They called on the Bishop to seek his approval.
They were granted authority to negotiate an agreement with a contractor to determine the cost of laying the church foundation.
Bishop Fink also informed the committee that he had written twice to Bishop Strossmaier in Djakovo, Croatia, and to Archbishop Posilovic in Zagreb, in search of a parish priest and was expecting replies soon.
At a meeting held on Sept. 15, 1900, Ivan Draskovic, moved that the work on the foundation begin as soon as possible. Plans called for the foundation to be 80 feet long and 42 feet wide, with space for a tower and belfry in the center of the foundation fronting to the east. The foundation walls of the structure were to extend to a height of five feet above ground level. Because the ground was uneven, it had to be leveled off before work on the foundation could begin.
The time between Oct. 20, 1900 and Feb. 28, 1901, was spent in collecting funds, selecting members for the building committee, securing a contractor for he church building and also corresponding with priests in Croatia, whom they sought to persuade to come to Kansas City, Kansas, as Bishop Fink was not meeting with success in his search for a pastor.
The cornerstone of the church was solemnly blessed by the Very Reverend Thomas Moore, V.G. on May 15, 1904. A magnificent parade accompanied this event.
The Croatians Frequently advertised in newspapers in the old country in hopes of obtaining a priest. Finally, replies were received from Reverend Ljudevit Laus of Iriga, Srijem, Croatia and from Reverend Anton Politeo, born in the old city on the island of Hvar. He was residing at that time in Wheeling, West Virginia, having come from Rose highly recommended by a Cardinal Scalabrini.
On Sept. 9, 1901, a general meeting of the church committee was held. At this meeting, a motion was made by Janko Vale that a letter of invitation would be addressed to the Reverend Politeo. A copy of the motion, together with the application of Reverend Politeo was delivered to the Bishop by Ivan Jarnevic and Ivan Crnic. The Bishop approved the request of the people and Reverend Politeo, up his reply that he would become the pastor of the new parish, was admitted into the Diocese of Leavenworth.
A general meeting of the parish was help on Oct. 5, 1901, in Wheeler’s Hall, on James Street. Following the disposition of routine business, the committee of examiners, composed of Marko Lorkovic, Jure Maljevac and Mike Zunic, reported that the accounts of all receipts and disbursements of the organization, from its beginning to that date were order.
Although the exact date of Reverend Politeo’s arrival is not recorded, it is believed to be somewhere between Sept. 23 and Oct. 5, 1901. Not long thereafter, the president announced at a committee meeting that a four-room dwelling had been located which could be rented for $9 per month and which would serve as a rectory. The president and financial secretary were appointed to see that household goods and furniture were provided, the cost to be borne by the entire church membership.
It was necessary that a place be found where Mass could be said. Ivan Stanuga moved that they obtain the use of a hall or vacant dwelling for that purpose, since this was considered mission territory. The new pastor, secretary and financial secretary accepted this task. They finally succeeded in finding a place. Mass would be celebrated in the Polish church of St. Joseph. The people looked forward to this event with great joy and anticipation, but their joy was short-lived.
Reverend Politeo remained among the Croatians from Oct. 5 to just before Dec. 7, 1901. Again, the call went out for a pastor.
The church committee resumed the search for a contractor who would build the church building. One contractor’s bid was for $10,875, including the foundation, which had already been set. This bid was decline and it was decided on Nov. 3, 1901 that a basement be dig, roofed over and the upper portion be completed in the future. Miho Tomasic was against this plan of constructing temporary church facilities, and he presented a motion to that effect. Both proposals were put to a vote and the result was 58 to 8 in favor of using the basement as an interim church.
A contractor. W.P. Dunn, was selected, who for the price of $2500 would dig the basement, roof it and have it ready one week before Christmas. Later, he was asked to place a cross on the forepart of the basement, to build the windows for the church, to clean the sidewalls of the foundation and to haul away the dirt. This was done for an additional cost of $200. Constructions of the pews, altars and confessionals was let to other contractors. It was decided to spend $375 for pews.
In the interim, various Croatian priests came and ministered to the spiritual needs of the people. However, the search went on for a permanent pastor.
On Jan. 12, 1902, the church building committee was loaned $500 by Ivan Mikesic; Janko Zugecic and Jure Samovojska provided $100 each; Mijo Gojak provided $70; and Josip Tomasic provided $30. St. Joseph Society, on Dec. 18, 1901, sent $1,000 as a loan for the project.
Ivan Jarnevic invited the Reverend Josip Polic, a Croatian pastor for Calument, Michigan, to Kansas City, KS, to provide for the spiritual needs of the parishioners. He arrived on Jan. 17, 1902, and was greeted by Miko Babic and Janko Zugecic. He blessed the basement facilities and said Mass for the people on Sunday, Jan. 19, 1902.
Early in June 1902, Bishop Fink negotiated with a Bishop Maurisic in Senj, Croatia, for the purpose of obtaining a permanent priest for the parish. His Efforts were successful. On June 28, 1902, Father Martin Davorin Krmpotic arrived in Kansas City, KS.
The new priest began to work in all earnestness to complete the building of the church. He not only performed his priestly functions of preaching and teaching, but likewise did everything to advance the cause materially. As he knew a great deal about stone masonry, he went out and worked with the rest of the workmen. On one occasion, a union agent happened along and asked Father Krmpotic for this union card. The priest looked at the gentleman, smiled and replied, “I do not need any union card; I am building my own church.” He added, “I don’t think that St. Paul had a union card while he carried on this trade of tent making.
During this time, more and more of the people began to move out of the Patch.
The church knit them more closely. Furthermore the flood of 1903 dealt the Patch are a mortal blow. The Missouri and Kansas Rivers, swollen as a consequents of rains and the thawing of ice and snow on the upper Missouri, flooded the entire part of the city which lay along the Missouri near the mouth of the Kansas River. During the flood, not a single Croatian life was lost. John Lesac (Lacy) almost became a victim of the flood by remaining in his business establishment trying to protect his goods. The waters trapped him in his store, and he was forced to seek refuge on the roof. There, waving a white cloth on a staff, he was observed by occupants of a boat who succeeded in rescuing him.
After the waters had subsided, a few of the people returned to the Patch, but most relocated to the immediate vicinity of the new church building which was under construction, the better to read and educate their children in the spirt and faith of their fathers.
The area in which they settled extended from Fifth Street on the west, Armstrong Avenue on the north, Fifth Street and Ferry (Fowler) on the south and Central Avenue, James Street and the Kaw River on the east. As the Croatians moved in the native-born residents gradually moved away, and very few remained to stay in the Croatian settlement, in this Mala Hrvatska or Little Croatia. (A majority still reside in the vicinity of the church and school, and there were a few who are not within earshot of the church bell in the tower of the church as it sounds the Angelus or as it summons them to Divine worship.
After years of toil and sacrifice, the church building was finally and completed and equipped. The dream of St. John the Baptist Church became a reality. The Most Reverend Thomas Lillis D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Leavenworth, blessed the church on the second Sunday in January 1905. This was the first church dedication of his episcopate. The Kansas City Star referred to the new church as being one of the finest in Kansas City, Kansas.
The Croatian people have always loved the beauty of the house of God and the place where His glory dwells. At a public meeting in 1908, it was unanimously agree to have the interior of the church decorated. Through Father Krmpotic’s influence, Oton Ivekovic, belonging to the school of painting at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, was called to fresco the church. He felt honored as this was the first time he was invited to exhibit his skill in American With his brush and easel, he set to work, being mindful of the words of the poet Keats, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” His great genius was poured into his work of art. Many visitors and students of art viewed his paintings, and all admired the tone of the colors, symmetry and proportion of the pictures.
The statutes of the Diocese of Leavenworth required that wherever there were 25 children, a Catholic
School must be established. Therefore, the next great necessity was the establishment of a parish school. In 1905, when the basement of the church ceased to be used for church purposes, it was converted to the school for 63 children.
They were taught by lay teachers under the supervision of Father Krmpotic. In the meantime, funds were accumulated to build a school building, property for which had already been purchased. In 1907, a new frame building housing the first Croatian Catholic School in the U.S. was blessed.
The Sisters of the Precious Blood were the first teachers but they were recalled.
On Oct. 11, 1909, four school sisters of St. Francis arrived from Maribor, Slovenia. They were Sister M. Aurelia, Sister M. Bonaventure, Sister M. Clotilda and Sister M. Pulcheria. Throughout the years, sister of this order have conducted the school with zeal and devotion and are in charge today.
We are grateful to Almighty God for the countless blessing showered upon us and our parish through the tireless efforts, the work and prayers of these holy women. We shall ever remember not only these sisters but all of the sisters who have given their lives and are doing so today for our children.
These religious teachers were women of keen minds who understood the principles of personal liberty in the “new nation under God.” Strengthened by their vow of poverty, they understood that the essence of Americanism was spiritual – the personal God-given integrity of each free man in a classless society.
Undoubtedly, as we look back to our own school days, we will remember with a tug at our heartstrings the sisters who taught us and influenced our lives by their example and sincerity, such as Sisters Aurelia, Bonaventure, Angelica and Pulcheria, and the many others whose records are inscribed in the Book of Life.
Our tribute to our sisters can be summarized in the following words of Pope Paul VI spoken to the sisters in India several year ago: “We must tell you how much the Church esteems you and loves you. Hearing the call of our Lord, you have generously left your homes and families to follow Him, to minister to His needs in the schools, in little children, in the sick, the aged and the infirm, and to dedicate lives of prayer to Him and His church. In the name of Jesus Christ and of the whole Catholic Church, we thank you for all that you do for our Blessed Lord and for His Mystical Body. How great are your accomplishments, how high your merit! God will repay you, for His fidelity endures forever. Continue to be faithful to your vacation; be generous in every sacrifice necessary to protect and foster it. Be holy; yet also be of good heart in your vacation; be cheerful and smiling, so that all may see the great happiness you feel in the unselfish imitation of our Lord and His Blessed Mother.”
The 1918 Flu Epidemic
In 1918, there was an influenza epidemic. It took a tremendous toll among the Croatian People. Many children lost their parents. In some cases, widowed mothers were forced to seek employment to gain a livelihood for their little ones. Father Krmpotic, a man of compassion, saw the problem and diligently sought a solution. He called a meeting of the parishioners, acquainted them with the dire condition which existed and proposed the building of an orphanage and day nursery. The orphanage would be for those who were left without parents, and the day nursery for the care of children whose mothers were forced to work in the packing houses and other factories. Meantime, Father Krmpotic sought and obtained the consent of the Franciscan Sisters to supervise the orphanage. Within a few days, the house north of the rectory was purchased from John McFadden, remodeled and equipped. On Thanksgiving Day, 1919, St. John’s Orphanage was solemnly blesses by Most Rev. Bishop John Ward, D.D.
The orphanage is now known as St. John Children’s Home. The deed to the land and building was transferred to the Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King, in Lemont, Ill., in 1963.It is non-selective in its admission policy and attempts to provide a warm personal relationship for the child in need of temporary care until the problems of his home are resolved. Where parental rights are severed, such children are available to be placed in foster homes or permanent adoptive homes. Psychological testing and guidance is provided by the Wyandotte County Mental Health and Guidance Center. The staff at the home meets regularly, or whenever necessary, with a caseworker from Catholic Charities. Presently, the home is licensed by the Kansas State Board of Health for the care of 20 children between the ages of 6 and 14. The licensed Day Care Center has been discontinued.
While at the home, their educational needs are met in schools within the vicinity. Sisters act as foster parents during the day and study time. Recreational facilities are available indoors and on the grounds, and the children have animal pets for their enjoyment. Under the supervision of the sisters, the children assume light household duties.
Financing is through fees for care; fees paid by the state for wards of the court; and generous contributions by members of the parish, friends and the archdiocese. Quite often the home is remembered by the parishioners and friends in their wills. Throughout the year, various organizations entertain the children and sisters by giving parties and picnics for them. During the past 56 years, approximately 3,666 children have been admitted and received care.
On Aug. 13, 1922, Father Krmpotic was made Prothonotary Apostolic by His Holiness Pope Pius XI. This this dignity, he was raised with the “placet” of the Most Reverend John Ward, DD., Bishop of the Diocese of Leavenworth.
Gradually, as the small boys of the parish grew into manhood, Monsignor Krmpotic, very alert and vigilant, realized the danger to which young men are exposed in cities. He envisioned a clubhouse for recreation and social life for the boys. To the realization of this dream, his efforts were now directed. He called the parishioners together and proposed his plans and they were unanimously accepted. To finance such a project, each family purchased a share for $30 (considered a loan without interest), and a small amount of money was borrowed elsewhere. Through the diligent efforts of those who because members, all this money was repaid.
In the spring of 1925, St. John Catholic Club began to take shape. A large two-story building was erected. The ground floor was equipped with recreational facilities, such as bowling alleys, billiard tables, etc. The second story was made into an auditorium which could easily be made into a gymnasium. On the Feast of St. John the Baptist, 1926, the building was blessed. At last, the youth of the parish had an outlet for their activities, Baseball, basketball, football and other sports received their due attention.
Time march on and so did 700 children daily march to old St. John’s School. As the steps and floors of the wooden school building because worn, the necessity for a new building became apparent. Again, the people of the parish rallied together. Construction was financed by borrowing the sum of $65,000 and a building, modern in every respect, was erected. It was blessed on Labor Day, 1929, by Most Reverend Francis Johannes, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Leavenworth, and he also delivered a very eloquent sermon on Catholic education.
On May 30, 1926, the first son of St. John the Baptist parish, Charles A. Stimac, was ordained to the priesthood by Most Reverend Bishop John Ward, D.D. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed assistant pastor.
Monsignor Krmpotic and Father Stimac continued working for the advancement of the people of the parish and helped to keep alive the Croatian spirt and heritage of the community.
In December 1930, Monsignor Krmpotic was invited to give a Mission to the Croatian people of Los Angeles, CA. He left Kansas City on Dec. 25, 1930 having completed his Mission, he visited at the railroad station with Peter “Chet” Matson, a parishioner and at that time, a student of St Mary’s College in California. He departed for Kansas City, stopping on the way at Grand Canyon, AZ to visit with a former parishioner, John Locaric, who was at the time, managing the El Tovar Hotel, at the Grand Canyon. Monsignor had a pleasant visit with John and during the day toured the Grand Canyon. That evening, he came back to the hotel and complained of a pain in his chest. He went to bed, but later came to the desk to ask that a doctor be called. A doctor and nurse were summoned as well as a priest from a neighboring parish in Flagstaff. The doctor diagnosed the illness as a heart attack and before he could be taken to a hospital, Monsignor Krmpotic closed his eyes in death on Jan. 31, 1931, far from his beloved flock in Kansas City.
The funeral was held at St. John the Baptist Church on Feb. 5, 1931, and he was laid to rest at Mount Calvary Cemetery. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in Kansas City. Clergy and lay people from all parts of the country were present with all the parishioners to pay tribute to a faithful pastor, a fighter for the rights of his Croatian people, of the poor and needy, a great churchman.
Within a short time after the death of Monsignor Krmpotic, Father Charles A. Stimac was appointed pastor.
Under the guidance of Father Stimac, the parish continued to progress spiritually and materially.
On Jan. 31, 1931, during the night, a fire, originating in the boiler room of the church, caused substantial damage to the edifice and irreparable damage to many of the precious frescoes painted by Oton Ivekovic on the church walls.
With proceeds from insurance, the church was repaired within four months. Many of the paintings were beyond repair, but the pictures of the Apostles on the ceiling were retouched and preserved. While the church was undergoing repair, divine services were held in the St. John Auditorium.
Under the guidance of Father Stimac, a group of young people began the publication of the St. John’s Bugle, a monthly publication with parish news. From September 1933 to January, 1952, a monthly magazine, The Kansas City Croatian was published by Andre Svaglic, a parishioner who dedicated many long hours and much work in keeping the Croatian Alive and interesting and invaluable, especially during the years of World War II when it was sent to all our boys and girls in the service in all parts of the world.
The second son of the parish to be ordained to priesthood was Stanley J. Loncaric. Father Loncaric was ordained May 23, 1936 and offered his First solemn Mass in St. John’s Church on May 24, 1936. Father Stanley was appointed assistant to Father Stimac in June 1936 and served as assistant until June 1938 when he was appointed pastor of St. Bridget’s Church at Axtell, KS.
On June 11, 1938, John W. Horvat, the third son of the parish was ordained at St. Peter’s Church, in Kansas City, KS, and offered his First solemn Mass at St. John’s Church on June 12, 1938. Father Horvat was appointed assistant to Father Stimac in June of 1938.
The first son of the parish to join the Franciscan Order was John Plese. He entered the Commissariat of the Sacred Heart, the Croatian Franciscans. Upon entered the Order, he took the name of Charles. Fra Charles was sent to Mostar in Croatia for his studies and was ordained a priest at the monastery of the Franciscans on June 1, 1940.
Because of the beginning of World War II, Father Charles and Father David Zrno, O.F.M., who is well known to older parishioners because he assisted Father Stimac for a number of years after the death of Monsignor Krmpotic left, Croatia before serious hostilities arose. Father Charles completed his theological studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and offered his First solemn Mass at St. John’s Church on June 1, 1941. (Father Charles was assistant at St. John’s Parish from 1968 to 1970.
Another young man from the parish to join the Croatian Franciscans was Joseph Cigich, the son of Joseph and Ann Rose Cigich. As a religious, he too the name of Patrick. Father Patrick Cigich was ordained on June 20, 1946 and offered his First solemn Mass at St. John’s on June 23, 1946. Father Patrick died in St. Louis, MO. On Nov. 12, 1969, as the result of an accident.
With the beginning of World War II on Dec. 7, 1941, the parish became involved in additional activities. With over 500 young men and women being in the service (over 25 of these made the supreme sacrifice), those at home helped the war effort in various ways. They took part in Bond drives, civilian defense activities, Red Cross work, etc. In order to keep those in the service in touch with home, the St. John Service Star Club was organized, and all through the war, men and women of the parish met weekly to write to those in service, to send letters of encouragement and information. The Service Star” was published monthly and copies were sent to our parishioners in all parts of the world where they were stationed. Parish news on the home front, news about those stationed at various camps, etc. were a part of the regular news each month, and many of our members were able to contact fellow parishioners often stationed in the same camp or nearby installations. After the war, those who came back home were grateful and were familiar with what had happened in the parish during their absence.
On the night of Sept. 17, 1942, first, for the second time in the history of the parish, broke out in the St. John Club building. The kitchen and a classroom on the second floor were badly damaged, and the recreation on the first floor (where the fire began) as well as the bowling alleys were heavily damaged.
Despite was shortages and lack of many building materials, officers of the club, under the leadership of Frank Love, and many other in the parish managed to have repairs completed within several months.
After the signing of peace, the young men and women of the parish who had been away in the service returned gradually to resume normal living back on Strawberry Hill. Activities in the various parish organization resumed.
On May 1, 1951, John B. Yadrich, whose schooling had been interrupted by the war, after serving as an officer in the army and being cited several times for distinguished service, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Leavenworth, in St. John the Baptist Church and offered his first solemn Mass on May 20, 1951.
Father Yadrich was appointed an assistant pastor at St. John’s and remained at that post until 1964. During that time, he also taught religion at Ward High School and served as Archdiocesan Director of the CYO for many years. In 1964, Father Yadrich was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Bonner Springs, KS.
Father Horvat had remained in residence at St. John’s since his ordination and assisted in the parish with daily Mass and helping with parish work on weekends while serving in various posts in the archdiocese.
On Jan. 23, 1955, Father Stimac was honored by the Holy Father by being raised to the dignity of Domestic Prelate for his many year of faithful work in the parish and archdiocese. At the same time, Father Horvat was made a Papal Chamberlain in recognition of work in the various archdiocesan offices. On Jan. 24, 1960, Monsignor Horvat was also named a Domestic Prelate.
Monsignor Stimac served as pastor for 33 years. During these years, the parish progressed under his guidance. He was active in community and archdiocesan affairs and ever vigilant in protecting his flock. On one occasion, a communist speaker was scheduled to address a group of people in this community at the Croatian-Slovene National Home at Fifth and Elizabeth. Monsignor learned about it and on the evening of the scheduled speech, he took a group of young men from St. John’s Club to be present. He addressed the group before the scheduled speaker and, as a result, the out-of-town speaker did not achieve any success in influencing our people in favor of communism.
After suffering a heart attack several years previously, Monsignor Stimac retied as pastor of St. John’s Parish in August of 1964. He remained as pastor emeritus and resided in the rectory, but later decided to retire to St. Francis Village in Fort Work, Texas. He had to undergo surgery shortly after arriving there and was brought back to Kansas City to St. Margaret Hospital, where he remained as a patient and passed away on Nov. 25, 1968. He was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery, not far from the grave of Monsignor Krmpotic.
On Aug. 26, 1964, Monsignor Horvat was appointed pastor after resigning as Archdiocesan Director of Catholic Charities.
The first son of the parish to be ordained a Benedictine priest was Jerry Hadusek, son of George and Louise Hadusek. In religion, he took the name of Father Paul. He was ordained on Nov. 18, 1969, at Conception Abbey, Conception, MO, and offered his first solemn Mass at St. John’s Church on Nov. 30, 1969.
From the days of the establishment of the parish, a board of trustees had acted as advisors and assistants to the pastors. Joseph Goldasich was president of the trustees for many years, ad after his retirement, Steve Lister held that office for many years until 1970.
In accord with the suggestions of Vatican Council II, the archbishop of this archdiocese requested that each parish should form a Parish Council so that the laity could become more actively involved in the works of the parish. In March of 1971, St. John’s Parish Council was organized, and Ernest Yarnevich was chosen as the first president. Since that time, Frank Love has serve in that office and John Strick is currently serving. The council has been active in assisting the pastor. They have initiated a number of activities in the parish, including the formation of a Senior Citizens, and planning this year’s celebration of the Diamond Jubilee, as well as the improvements being made in the church and auditorium.
In May of 1971, Father Ante Matacin came to St. John’s and assisted the pastor until August 1974. Father Matacin was originally from the Diocese of Zadar in Croatia, where he was a pastor for many years. After World War II, he was imprisoned by the communists and when released after seven years of prison life, was again appointed pastor. Shortly thereafter, he fled Croatia when threatened again with imprisonment. He remained in Rome for several years, come to American and was stationed at San Francisco for six years serving the needs of Italian families.
He then went to New London, Ontario, in Canada, where he had the spiritual care of Croatians who had settled there. Father Matacin is now at a residence for priests at Valencia, Spain. While in Kansas City, Father was very active in work with the Legion of Mary of our parish.
Other priests who have served at various times as assistants at St. Jon’s Parish were the following: Rev. Francis Bahoric; Rev. Wenceslaus Vukovic, O.S.O.F; Rev. Vincent Uvodic; Rev. Nicholas Pazin, O.M.C.; Rev. Marion Kotinek, O.S.B.; Rev. David Zrno, O.F.M.; Rev. Charles Plese, O.F.M.; and Rev. Earl Dekat. Benedictine Fathers from Atchison, KS and Augustinian Fathers from Kansas City, KS, have assisted on weekends.
On Nov. 15, 1970, for the first time since the pastorate of Monsignor Krmpotic, who had the privilege of offering Mass in old Slavonic, Mass was offered in Croatian in St. John’s Church, with permission of the archbishop, so that our older people and recent arrivals from Europe could understand and become more familiar with the New Liturgy.
On Nov. 19, 1970, His Excellency, Archbishop Franjo Kuharic, Archbishop of Zagreb, visited St. John’s Parish. On that occasion, he also offered Mass in Croatian and gave the homily. After the Mass, a reception was held in the auditorium, and he visited with the Parishioners. In his talk, the archbishop commented how wonderful it was that the Croatians in Kansas City have kept the traditions of our ancestors who worked so hard to build the church, school and children’s home, and maintained them for these many years and did not permit our Croatian heritage to die. He was most impressed with both choirs and the music and sons of the St. John Catholic Club Tamburitzans.
To the Croatian people of Kansas City, KS, the church and parish have a special significance because in addition to the spiritual benefits, the history and cultural traditions of our forefathers have been preserved.
The people have preserved their Catholic faith, especially since they were unfamiliar with the English language when they first arrived in their adopted land, America. They have maintained this church and parish as the center of their spiritual, educational and cultural life.
This country has given haven to millions of immigrants from southern and Easter Europe during the past century. They came to the teeming cities and ethnic neighborhoods of every metropolitan area in the United State. Many were absorbed completely and lost their identity. Our pioneer fathers clung tenaciously to their Catholic and ethnic identity while absorbing the best of American citizenship. They have made every effort to give their children every advantage that this great country can provide, but they have not permitted their ethnic identity and the richness of their heritage to be forgotten.
In our day, many church leaders and laity are beginning to realize more clearly the necessity of preserving the valuable rots of ethnic Catholicism in an increasingly pluralistic national community. Survival in the urban setting is clearly linked with tone’s ethnic heritage. Recently, Archbishop Jean Jadot, Apostolic Delegate to the United States, state, “There is a realization that there are important values in one’s own ethnic and cultural traditions and in the tradition of others which should not be submerged and snuffed out, but rather cherished and preserved.”
As we commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of St. John the Baptist Parish, we offer this history and commemorative book in tribute to our father and mothers who founded an preserved our parish through these many year, and above all we offer humble thanks to Almighty God for his blessing and many graces with which He rewarded our parish. May it continue to prosper and progress for the honor of Gold and the welfare of the people of God.
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